Music at Acton will present a concert of songs and poetry designed to remember those who have died in the past year – and to provide comfort and understanding for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.

The program is Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. “Eternal Light: A Requiem” by Howard Goodall is filled with “beautiful melodies and harmonies” to touch hearts with healing and solace.

Soloists for the program are Julie Liston Johnson, soprano; Alex Bumpas, tenor; and Thann Scoggin, baritone.

Johnson currently sings with the Orpheus Chamber Singers and is the Soprano I soloist and section leader at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas.

Originally from St. Paul, Minn., she received her Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School where she was also on the Evening Division Faculty before relocating with her husband, Bert, to his hometown of Granbury.

While living here she and Bert were on the music staff at Granbury First UMC and Julie performed lead roles in the Granbury Theatre Company’s productions of 1776 and The Secret Garden. They now live in Dallas with their almost 5-year- old daughter, Ava Grace.

Bumpas is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger well versed in classical and contemporary vocal literature.

Bumpas studied voice and jazz trumpet at the University of North Texas where he performed a number of operatic roles. While still in college he began touring with Blood, Sweat & Tears saxophonist Bill Tillman where he sang and played lead trumpet.

He attended the Seagle Music Colony and Casalmaggiore International Music Festival in Italy and returned to UNT. Upon graduation Alex joined the critically acclaimed musical, Three Redneck Tenors.

Bumpas is married to soprano Kristen Bumpas and they live in Dallas.

Scoggin has appeared as soloist with numerous ensembles in such diverse concert repertoire as J.S. Bach’s St. John and St. Matthew Passions, Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Mass in C, the Requiems of Faure, Durufle, and Brahms, as well as Part’s Passio.

Scoggin has performed with Boston Baroque, The Handel and Haydn Society of Boston, Conspirare, Texas Early Music Project, Convergence, The Dallas Bach Society and many other ensembles.

Thann is a member of the voice faculty at Westlake High School in Austin.

LOCAL PARTICIPATION

The Chancel Choir at Acton United Methodist Church will be joined by the North Texas Chamber Singers which includes many local singers from various churches, including Joy Hope, Greg Doss, Corey Moses, Lauren Johnson, Miranda Willis and Josh Castle.

Local instrumentalists participating are Kim Payne, violin; Heather Corb, harpist and members of the Brazos Chamber Orchestra. Other singers include the section leaders from the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Dallas.

No tickets will be sold for this Music at Acton concert, but a free will offering will be taken at the door and will benefit People Helping People. “Eternal Light: A Requiem” is underwritten by private donors to Music at Acton.

Child care will be provided and a reception will follow the concert. For more information call Cate at 817-326-4242 or [email protected]